Audibleecoscience is a database of podcasts on subjects related to global change biology. It is designed as a resource for the general public and for educators looking to assign "required listening" to their students. Reviews of each podcast and links to the original source have been provided by students taking the IB107 class at the University of Illinois. The database is fully text searchable or you can browse on your favorite subject...

Warming in the Arctic

According to Professor Eric Post at Pennsylvania State University as of 2009, there is sufficient evidence that there is warming in the Arctic and its affecting more than just melting the ice. Over the last 20-30 years, both land and sea animals have been affected and polar bear population alone has decreased by ¼ since the 1980’s. Also, Caribou, which were once thought to be one of the species to survive climate changes in the Arctic, are actually declining greatly in all populations. The reason for this is because, there are daylight changes which affect growing seasons. Therefore when caribou migrate, they are getting to places too late to be able to consume food resources. Climate change in the arctic affects how long and when an area has fresh resources for animals to eat. Many animals like caribou are missing out on these resources and this is causing their populations to decline with less food available. Animals like the musk ox may be benefiting from climate change, however, climate change causing problems with growing season, and melting of sea ice is harmful to other animals and endangers their way of life. This affects locals in Greenland because they see how climate change indirectly affects animals like caribou and so they are unable to hunt these animals which affect their local way of life as well. These changes are happening too rapidly and there must be changes made in human way of life in order to slow down the process.